Gilgit-Baltistan is facing a critical shortage of wheat, triggering significant public discontent and fueling accusations of deliberate neglect by Islamabad. Residents across the region, from Gilgit to Skardu and Hunza, are spending hours in queues at ration depots, desperately seeking subsidized wheat, a vital food source during the unforgiving winter months. The supply has been inconsistent for weeks, creating uncertainty for families regarding their daily meals.
Adding to the hardship, market prices for wheat have soared, making it unaffordable for many. Residents and community groups are convinced that the shortage is not accidental but a reflection of how the region is managed. They argue that Gilgit-Baltistan, already disadvantaged politically, is consistently marginalized when it comes to essential supplies. A local shopkeeper in Skardu articulated this sentiment, stating, “This region always bears the brunt of resource shortages and lags in recovery, a situation that has persisted for years.”
The current food crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of severe and persistent electricity outages. Many areas experience prolonged power blackouts daily, impacting businesses reliant on refrigeration and heating. Students lament the difficulty of studying for exams in dimly lit conditions, a paradox given the region’s role in generating crucial hydropower for the nation.
The core of the problem, many believe, lies in the governance structure dictated by Islamabad. Gilgit-Baltistan’s constitutional status, outside of Pakistan’s formal legal framework, means it lacks representation in the National Assembly and Senate and is excluded from the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction. Consequently, decisions impacting land, water, and revenue are made centrally, leaving local populations with little agency in governing their own region. This has cultivated a sense of being exploited for resources without equitable returns.
Civil society members point to systemic failures, suggesting that the current wheat crisis could have been mitigated by proactive federal intervention. Despite local authorities issuing multiple warnings about declining wheat reserves, residents report that officials offered standard reassurances and cited transport delays as the primary cause. This perceived lack of urgency has spurred widespread protests, with citizens demanding the government reinstate regular subsidized supplies and clarify the distribution irregularities.
Protesters frequently link the food shortages to a broader pattern of governance issues. These include land appropriations for large-scale projects without transparent compensation, the export of electricity generated locally while residents suffer blackouts, and major development projects initiated without local consultation. This narrative suggests that Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a secondary concern, despite its strategic and economic significance.
For the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, the immediate and pressing issue is securing adequate wheat supplies. With winter’s grip tightening and no clear resolution from Islamabad, there is growing apprehension that the situation will only worsen. The patience of residents is wearing thin, and many feel that these recurring crises highlight their region’s marginalization and the limited impact of their voice in national policy-making, irrespective of the region’s natural wealth.
